Programme Operations Manager - The Gambia

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Last update: 1 day ago Last update: Dec 19, 2025

Details

Deadline: Jan 15, 2026

Location: Gambia

Gambia

Organization:COLEAD

Sectors:

Agriculture & Rural Development

Job type:Contract, 12 months +

Languages:

English

Work experience:Min 15 years

Date posted: Dec 19, 2025

Expected starting date: Feb 28, 2026

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Description

Job description

COLEAD is a non-profit interprofessional association founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement all actions that directly and/or indirectly increase the contribution of the agri-food sector to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). COLEAD manages development projects in the agricultural and food sector in low and low-middle income countries, financed by donors (mainly the European Union). More information is available on our website.

As part of the implementation of its new 5-year programme entitled “Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING)”, funded by the European Union, through the EU Delegation to The Gambia, COLEAD is seeking to recruit a Programme Operations Manager.

The overall objective of this new intervention is to enhance The Gambia’s horticultural sector’s contribution to economic growth, food security, food safety, and nutrition by accelerating a people-centred (particularly for women and youth), resilient, market-driven, and nutrition-sensitive agro-ecological transition.

The specific objectives are to:

Increase investments, productivity, income and working opportunities especially for women, young people, and marginalized groups within targeted horticultural value chains.
To improve plant health, food safety, quality management, and sustainable agroecological practices among horticultural producers and processors, especially women and youth; and
To strengthen diversified, nutrition-sensitive, and agro-ecologically produced horticultural value chains.

The Programme Operations Manager will be based in Banjul (The Gambia) and will work closely with COLEAD's programme management and implementation units in Brussels (Belgium), Lomé (Togo) and Nairobi (Kenya). As part of this intervention, please note that the Programme Operations Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator.

As part of the inception phase of the programme, COLEAD will establish a temporary national office in Banjul to support the launch and early implementation of the SPRING programme. This office will operate under the supervision of the Programme Operations Manager, who will act as COLEAD’s legal representative in The Gambia for the duration of the programme implementation.

The Programme Operations Manager will be responsible for the smooth and effective coordination of the activities planned under the programme, with a view to achieving the programme’s objectives. More specifically, the Programme Operations Manager will be expected to (non-exhaustive list):

Serve as the national operational focal point for programme implementation in The Gambia, under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, and in close collaboration with COLEAD’s technical departments (with a specific emphasis on Market Intelligence, Access to Finance, Research and Innovation Brokerage and Technical Assistance and Training Departments).
Contribute to the design and implementation of resource mobilisation strategies, in close coordination with COLEAD management.
Coordinate, at national level, the preparation, execution, monitoring and reporting of the annual work plan, including monitoring of the logical framework and operational performance indicators.
Support and contribute to ensuring the quality and timely completion of programme outputs, in close collaboration with COLEAD management and staff allocated to the programme across COLEAD's multiple implementation units.
Supervise the design, implementation, and follow-up of individual development projects for partner-beneficiaries across the private, public, and support services sectors, in accordance with COLEAD procedures and in close coordination with COLEAD’s Technical Assistance Department.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the office, administration, and compliance with policies and local regulations, as COLEAD’s legal representative in The Gambia (upon registration).
Contribute to the preparation for the expenditure verification procedure(s) and implementation of potential recommendations – where appropriate, in close collaboration with COLEAD Finance and Administration Lead.
Contribute to budgeting, financial management, and reporting to ensure accountability and reporting to the headquarters, in close coordination with the Administration and Financial Department.
Contribute to recruitment processes and supervise/support the implementation team based in The Gambia, fostering a positive and high-performing team culture.
As required, lead relationship building efforts with Gambian stakeholders, including but not limited to competent authorities, private sector actors, professional organisations, and academia.
Ensure the representation of the programme and of COLEAD, as the organisation’s legal representative in The Gambia, at national and regional technical and political events, workshops, and forums, where and if deemed necessary.
Ensure continuous liaison with institutional partners (notably the EU Delegation, relevant Gambian ministries and development partners), and lead coordination, where relevant, with third-party projects and programmes operating in The Gambia, as well as with regional initiatives with an effective footprint in the country, to build and leverage potential synergies
Contribute to COLEAD’s communication team regarding information-sharing and communication materials, to ensure alignment with EU Delegation expectations and EU communication/visibility guidelines.

This list of responsibilities is non-exhaustive and may be adapted in line with the operational needs and strategic priorities of the programme's implementation.

Profile requirements

Higher education degree in a relevant scientific or technical field (e.g., agronomy, agricultural sciences, environmental science and technology, economics, management, project management, or a related discipline).
At least fifteen (15) years of experience in the agrifood sector (horticulture is a plus), including project or programme management at national or regional level and established working relationships with key public and private stakeholders.
Strong understanding of agri-food value chains, from production to processing and distribution, with a particular focus on export-oriented markets.
Proven experience in enhancing the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of agricultural systems, including compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, public and private standards, and environmental and social safeguards.
Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: business and human resources management, plant health, food safety, or regulatory compliance.
Prior experience in international cooperation (preferably EU-funded) or multicultural environments, including coordinating activities with teams based in other locations.
Fluency in English is required. Professional working knowledge of one or more national languages spoken in The Gambia (Wolof, Maninka, etc.) is required. Proficiency in other COLEAD working languages (French, Spanish, or Portuguese) is an asset.

Other skills required

Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to foster collaboration, coordinate and supervise national teams, and work efficiently with multidisciplinary and multi-location teams.
Excellent communication abilities, both written and oral, in face-to-face and digital environments, including the capacity to write clearly, summarise complex information effectively, and present information in a compelling manner.
Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving mindset, with a solution-oriented and constructive approach.
High level of autonomy, proactivity, and sound judgement in decision-making , with the ability to take informed decisions within a defined governance and reporting framework.
Results-driven, with a strong focus on meeting deadlines, delivering quality outputs and achieving agreed objectives in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
Proficiency in standard IT tools, particularly MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) ; familiarity with collaborative project management or reporting tools is an asset.

Benefits

This is a full-time position based in Banjul, The Gambia, requiring a continuous on-site presence. Candidates must either be currently resident in The Gambia or willing and able to relocate to The Gambia on a full-time basis for the duration of the contract.

A valid authorisation to reside and work in The Gambia is mandatory at the time of appointment.

The initial contract duration will be one (1) year, renewable subject to performance and programme needs.

Regular travel within The Gambia is expected. In addition to national duties, the selected candidate should be available for occasional short-term assignments in the West African region, as well as potential travel to Belgium or key export markets for The Gambia, as required by the programme.

The expected start date is in the first quarter of 2026.

To apply for this role, please send your CV and CL, by Thursday 15th of January 2026.